Wash tub and board combination



June 7, 1938. G. E. SOWNEY 2,120,157

WASH TUB AND BOARD GOMBINATIN Filed Aug. 25', 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 rff/// ,fr /zf f///r//f/ ,/f ///////////f/f///////////////// C60/8 E Sawrlfj/ ATTORNEY June 7, 1938.

G. E. sQwNEY WASH TUB AND BOARD COMBINATON Filed Aug. 25, 19557 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENToR ATTORNEY Patented June 7, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE George E. Sowney, New York, N. Y., assigner of lone-half to Clarence J. Goodwillie, New York,

Application August 25, 1937, Serial No. 160,770

12 Claims.

This invention relates to domestic appliances and more particularly refers to improvements in washtubs and washboards.

It is now customary for the housewife, when washing clothes, to place an ordinary washboard in the washtub, resting the feet of the washboard on the bottom of the washtub and its upper part against the edge of the front wall of the washtub.

This makes it-necessary for the housewife to remove the washboard to some place of storage when it is not in use or to run the risk of the washboard being stolen or lost if left in proximity of the washtub. Furthermore, the fact that the feet of the washboard must rest against the bottom of the tub interferes with the keeping of a supply of clothes within the washtub to be thoroughly soaked before the rubbing operation is performed.

It is, therefore, desirable to make the washboard a permanent part of the washtub equipment so as to save the necessity of carrying the washboard back and forth from the living quarters to the cellar where the washtub is generally located, and it is also desirable that the washboard be so mounted that it will not interfere with the possibility of keeping a supply of clothes within the washtub while the washboard is not 1n use.

The primary object of this invention, accordingly, is to provide a washtub and washboard combination of a novel and improved design, in which the washboard is permanently mounted within the washtub in a manner permitting of said washboard being moved from an inoperative position where it rests against the inner surface of the front wall of the washtub to an operative inclined position with respect thereto.

Another object is to provide a washtub and board combination in which the front wall of the washtub has a recessed portion adapted to receive the washboard when said washboard is lowered to its inoperative position from an inclined position in which it is set when in use.

A further object is to provide in a washtub and board combination of the character described, a novel and improved arrangement for mounting the washboard in place within the washtub, whereby the washboard is pivotally suspended at its upper end and can be set at differently inclined positions to suit the comfort `and convenience of the user.

A still further object is to provide a washtub and board combination of the character specified, comprising a cover member adapted to entirely conceal the washboard when not in use so as to improve the appearance of the resulting structure.

An additional object is to provide in a washtub and board combination in which the washboard remains within the washtub in its entirety without projecting from the top thereof, a splashing shield movable from a position where it rests against the washboard to a position where it projects upwardly of the front of the washtub in order to protect the user against splashings, said shield remaining entirely below thel upper level of the washtub when not in use so as not to interfere with the closing of the lid with which a washtub is generally provided.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will more fully appear as the description proceeds .and will be set forth and claimed in the appended claims.

My invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the front portion of an ordinary washtub, equipped with a separate frame carrying a washboard, said frame being fastened to the inner surface of the front wall of the washtub, the washboard being shown in its inoperative position;

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the washboard set in an inclined position ready for use, with the splashing shield in its raised position;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary face view of the inner surface of the front wall of a washtub, showing the washboard in its inoperative position, the cover therefor being partly broken away;

Fig. 4 is a view of the washboard from its lower end, as indicated at 4--4 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the same through line 5 5 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to that of Fig. 2, showing the washboard mounted Within a recess formed in the frontwall of the washtub; and

Fig. 7 is a horizontal section thereof through line 1-1 of Fig. 6,V showing the washboard in its inoperative position.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4, I 0 designates an ordinary washtub, having a front wall I I and a bottom I2. In accordance with my invention the washtub is equipped in a permanent manner with a washboard I3, which in its preferred form is pivotally mounted at its upper end, as shown at I4, between two brackets I5 forwardlyextending from a plate or frame I6. l

Said plate or frame I6 is fastened to the inner surface of the front wall II in any suitable manner, for instance, by means; of anchored bolts I 'I.

'I'he lower end of the washboard is provided at the rear with one or preferably more notches I8, adapted Vto be engaged by a brace I9, pivotally connected at 26 to the plate of frame I6 by means of brackets 2|.

When the washboard is in its inoperative position shown in Fig. 1, said washboard hangs down from its pivotal support and rests against plate or frame I6, and the brace I9 also hangs down loose from its pivotal support.

In order to provide a permanent connection be-.

tween the washboard and the brace, which connection shall cause the brace to automatically follow the movement of the washboard, yet without interfering with the possibility of said brace engaging the notch or notches or being disengaged therefrom, I prefer to use the construction shown in the drawings in which the back of the washboard is provided with two racks 22, 23, symmetrically spaced from the central longitudinal line thereof, said racks being formed with a plurality of notches I8, I 8', I8. Between the two racks the washboard is provided with longitudinal pivotal support .24 for .a slotted link member 25, which acts as a permanent connection between the brace and the board.

The slotted portion 26 having a longitudinal l slot 21, engaging the brace, is spaced laterally of its pivotal support so that it can swing away from the rear surface of the board enough to permit the brace becoming disengaged from the notches Within which its front portion is inserted in order to retain the washboard in its inclined operative position.

In order to prevent the brace becoming released from the notches of its own accord, I-pref er to provide means such as a leaf spring 28, shown in Fig. 4, bearing against the link member 25 and tending to retain it in the position where it will hold the brace-in its notch-engaging position.

It is obvious that by providing more than one set of notches for engaging the brace the washboard can be set at differently inclined positions to suit the convenience of the user.

In order to improve the appearance of the structure when the washboard is not in use, I prefer to add to the parts mentioned a cover 29, having its lower end pivotally connected at 30 to the lower end of plate or frame I6, by means of brackets 3I. Said cover when in its raised position, shown in Fig. 1, forms with the inner surface of the front wall of the washtub an enclosure Within which the washboard and its supporting frame will be entirely concealed. When the washboard is to be used cover 29 is lowered to the position shown in Fig. 2, where it lies on the bottom of the washtub and does not interfere with the operation of the washboard.

It will be observed that, as shown, when the washboard is in use its lower end remains spaced from the bottom of the tub a distance permitting storing within the tub such articles as have to be washed so that they can become thoroughly soaked before they are rubbed against the washits pivotal support to a point vertically spaced from the top of the tub a distance sufficient to provide adequate protection against splashings. The arrangement just described is suitable for installation in an existing washtub. For a new installation, however, I prefer to use a special washtub, such as shown in Figs. 6, '7, in which the front wall 33 of the washtub is formed with a recess 34, Within which all the parts previously described can be housed when the washboard is not in use.

The washtub is preferably made of metal with relatively light walls, so that the recess 34 can be produced by casting or embossing methods, so asV to haveV thertwo sides 35, 36, directly serving as supports for cross bars 31, 38, upon which the washboard and shield and the cover, respectively, are pivotally mounted, this resulting in a more compact and less expensive construction than if separate brackets were used.

The washboard proper is preferably made out of sheet metal and can be enameled to match the finish of the washtub. However, it will be understood that any other suitable material can be used if desired.

The constructional details of my invention may vary from those shown without departing from the inventive idea. The drawings will, therefore, be understood as being intended for illustrative purposes only and not in a limiting sense.

I, accordingly, reserve the right to carry my invention into practice in all those ways and manners which may enter, fairly, into the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, the combination of a washtub, a washboard having its upper end pivotally connected to said washtub in proximity of the upper edge thereof so as to be movable from an inoperative position where it rests against the inner surface of the washtub to a position forwardly inclined with respect thereto, and notch and brace means operatively connected to the tub and wash board and positioned in the space therebetween for setting and positively retaining said washboard in various inclined positions, said means being collapsible whereby when the wash board is in inoperative position said means is covered and shielded thereby.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination of a washtub, a washboard having its upper end pivotally connected to said washtub in proximity of the upper edge thereof so as to be movable from an inoperative position where it rests against the inner surface of the washtub to a position forwardly inclined with respect thereto, and means, comprising a notched member integral with said washboard and a brace pivotally mounted within said washtub, said brace cooperating with said notched member for setting and positively retaining said washboard in various inclined positions.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination of a washtub, a washboard having its upper end pivotally connected to said washtub in proximity of the upper edge thereof so as to be movable from an inoperative position where it rests against the inner surface of the washtub to a position forwardly inclined with respect thereto, means, comprising a notched member integral with said washboard and a brace pivotally mounted within said washtub, said brace cooperating with said notched member for setting and positively retaining said washboard in various inclined positions and slotted link mem#- bers forming an articulated connection between said washboard and brace.

4. In a device of the character described, the combination of a washtub, a washboard permanently attached thereto so as to be movable from an inoperative position where it rests against the inner surface of the washtub to a position forwardly inclined with respect thereto, means for retaining said washboard in its inclined position and a cover member mounted within said washtub, said cover member being movable from a position where it lies directly over said washboard when said washboard is in its inoperative position, concealing said washboard, to a position where it fully exposes said washboard, making it possible to move said washboard to its inclinedi position.

5. In a device of the character described, the combination of a washtub, a washboard permanently attached thereto so as to be movable from an inoperative position where it rests against the inner surface of the washtub to a position forwardly inclined with respect thereto, means for retaining said washboard in its inclined position and a cover member movably mounted within said washtub, adapted to conceal or expose said washboard, said cover member having its lower end pivotally connected to said. washtub so as to be swingable from an upright position to a position where it rests upon the bottom of said washtub.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination of. a washtub, a washboard having its upper end pivotally connected to said washtub in proximity of the upper edge thereof so as to be movable from an inoperative position where it rests against the inner surface of the washtub to a position forwardly inclined with respect thereto, notch and brace means for setting and positively retaining said washboard in various inclined positions and a cover member movably mounted within said washtub, adapted to con'- ceal or expose said washboard, said cover member having its lower end pivotally connected to said washtub so as to be swingable from an upright position to a position where it rests upon the bottom of said washtub.

'7. In a device of the character described a washtub having the inner surface of its front wall formed with a recess, a washboard pivotally mounted between the sides of said recess so as to be movable from an inoperative position where it is housed within said recess to a position forwardly inclined with respect thereto, and means for retaining said washboard in its inclined position.

8. In a device of the character described a washtub having the inner surface of its front wall formed with a recess, a washboard pivotally mounted between the sides of said recess so as to be movable from an inoperative position where it is housed within said recess to a position forwardly inclined with respect thereto, and notch and brace means operatively connected to said tub and washboard for retaining said washboard in various inclined positions.

9. In a device of the character described a washtub having the inner surface of its front wall formed with a recess, a washboard pivotally mounted between the sides of said recess so as to be movable from an inoperative position where it is housed within said recess to a position forwardly inclined with respect thereto, a movable cover for said recess forming therewith an enclosure for said washboard when in its inoperative position, said cover being substantially flush with said inner surface, and means for retaining said washboard in its inclined position.

10. In a device of the character described a washtub having the inner surface of its front wall formed with a recess, a washboard pivotally mounted between the sides of said recess so as to be movable from an inoperative position where it is housed within said recess to a position forwardly inclined with respect thereto, and means for retaining said washboard in various inclined positions, said means comprising a notched member integral with said washboard, and a brace pivotally mounted within said enclosure, adapted to selectively engage the notches of said notched member.

11. In a device of the character described a washtub having the inner surface of its front wall formed with a recess, a washboard pivotally mounted between the sides of said recess so as to wall formed with a recess, a washboard pivotally mounted between the sides of said recess so as to be movable from an inoperative position where it is housed within said recess to a position forwardly inclined with respect thereto, a cover for said recess pivotally mounted at its lower end between the sides thereof, forming therewith an enclosure for said washboard when in its inoperative position, and means for retaining said washboard in various inclined positions, said means comprising a notched member integral with said washboard, and a brace pivotally mounted within said enclosure, adapted to selectively engage the notches of said notched member.

GEORGE E. SOWNEY. 

